Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China continued a recent upward pattern, rising 0.2 percent in September after a 0.4 percent increase in August. Prices for imports from China advanced 1.6 percent for the year ended in September, with the increase occurring over the past five months as the index was unchanged over the September 2006 to April 2007 period.
Import prices from Japan also advanced in September, ticking up 0.1 percent. Prices for imports from Japan decreased 0.5 percent over the past 12 months.
Import and Export Services: The downturn was driven primarily by lower Asian fares. The index rose 8.6 percent over the past 12 months.
The price indexes for import air freight and export air freight each increased in September, rising 0.1 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. For the year ended in September, import air freight prices advanced 0.8 percent, while export air freight prices rose 1.4 percent.